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Saturday, January 19, 2013

A name created
by J.M Barrie for his classic tale ‘Peter
Pan’, Wendy peaked back in 1970 at number #28 but has managed to stay in
the Top 1000 till this date. As literary names continue to influence baby names
and with such a classic tale such as ‘Peter
Pan’, I doubt that Wendy would ever not be given to a baby but it seems the
love for this name is dwindling out.

Wendy Darlinghttp://pinterest.com/pin/51228514482725704/

Wendy was
created by Barrie for his play from his nickname ‘fwendly’ that was bestowed upon him by a young friend. The nickname
means ‘friend’ and whilst many literary names don’t have actual
meanings, I think it can be said that this name can take on the meaning of ‘friend’
which is a nice meaning to have. The name could also be an interesting nickname
for Gwendolyn other than the typical Gwen which will give the name the
additional meaning of ‘white, fair, blessed’.

The name is
currently sitting in the US Top 1000 (though the current list is of 2011) at
#677 with 413 girls given the name and 5 boys given the name as well. The name
is also ranked #246 in France, though going down, and #470 in the Netherlands,
though it entered the charts for the first time in 2011.

As for me, I
quite like the name Wendy, it brings up images of the tale and about a girl who
came around to believe in fairies and learnt it was okay to grow old but to
never fully grow up but unfortunately, in America, Wendy seems to be past it’s
used by date. Many see it as a mum name, which is explainable when looking at
where the name peaked but as an Australian, I can honestly say I have never met
a mum with that name and it might be seen as fresh and exciting for cultures
other than American. For me, it fits in with names like Betty and Hattie rather
than Susan and Barbara and I think it would be darling (pun noticed as I typed
it out) on a little 21st century girl.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

In a new
segment at Histornamia and
inspired by this post over at Nameberry from last November, I shall be taking a
look back at some screen legends and the characters they played on screen. In
honour of the fact that my Clara Bow biography finally came in the mail, I
shall be starting with her. The original ‘IT’ Girl, Clara was a star of the
silent-films and was in over 50 films between the years of 1922-1933. She was
also used as inspiration for Berenice Bejo’s wonderful performance as Peppy
Miller in 2012’s Oscar Winning, The
Artist as well as staring in the only other silent film to win Best
Picture, the 1927 Wings (yes, only
two silent films have ever won best film at the Oscars). Also of note, she was
the inspiration behind Betty Boop.

As well as the
characters below, Clara played characters with names typical from the period
like Helen, Molly, Norma, Ruby, Gladys, Stella, Nancy, Clara, Cynthia, Dorothy,
Mary, Lila and Alice (among others).

Here are eleven
character names that Clara portrayed on screen:

Clara Bow

Orchid (from the 1924 lost film, Grit) – in Clara’s seventh film, Grit, Clara played Orchid McGonigle. Pronounced
ohr-KID, it is a rare exotic flower
name. While it would make an interesting choice it does come from the Latin ‘orchis’
and Ancient Greek ‘orkhis’ which unfortunately means ‘testicle’. If the
meaning is overlooked and technically, most people would think of the pretty
flower, it would make an interesting name choice. In 2011, 6 baby girls were
given this name.

Grizette (from the 1925 lost film, Kiss Me Again) – in this other lost film
from 1925, Clara played Grizette. A variation of the word Grisette, the name refers to a French working class woman from the
last 17th century. In 1964, a French dictionary described it as ‘a
woman of lowly condition’. This type of woman is found in many French
operas and musicals, including La Boheme
and Les Miserables as the character
of Fantine is this type of woman.

Lolly (from the 1925 lost film, The Keeper of the Bees) – in another
lost film of Clara’s (though a trailer exists from this one), Clara played
Lolly Cameron. A sweet inspired name, it would be more likely to be found as a
nickname rather than a given name. It is a diminutive of Laura which means ‘bay
laurel’ though it could be used as a nickname for many a name including
Talullah or Dolores.

Prudence (from the 1925 film, My Lady of Whims) – in this film from
1925, Clara plays Prudence Severn. A virtue name meaning ‘caution’, this
is a name that would more likely be found on a birth certificate than the ones
above. It has puritan charm but beware of the ‘prude’ connotations. Prue is an
excellent nickname and it seems that parents like this name as well as in 2011,
80 baby girls were given the name.

Kittens (from the 1926 film, Dancing Mothers) – in this 1926 film,
Clara played Kittens Westcourt. Probably along with ‘Bubbles’ to be the least
likely to be given to a child, though would make a cute nickname, is Kittens.
Obviously taken from the baby cats, Kittens does give off a sweet connotation
though, might make an interesting middle or nickname.

Betty Lou (from the 1927 hit film, It) – in the film that made Clara a true
‘It’ girl and star, she played Betty Lou Spence. This was Clara’s biggest hit
and the name Betty means ‘pledged to God’ (and ranked #3 in the year of
the movie’s release) and Lou means ‘renowned warrior; (and ranked #304
in 1927). In 2011, Betty was given to 163 babies while Lou was given to 16 but
also has the virtue of being a celeb-baby name as the name of Heidi Klum and
Seal’s youngest daughter.

Hula (from the 1927 film, Hula) – in this film directed by Victor
Fleming (best known for Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind), Clara played Hula
Calhoun. More commonly associated with a ‘hoop’ or the banned baby name from
New Zealand (Talullah does the Hula in Hawaii), Hula could make an interesting
name on its own. The only meaning I could find was Native American for ‘eagle’.

Bubbles (from the 1928 lost film, Red Hair) – in this film Clara plays
Bubbles McCoy. Indeed a rare name, Bubbles is a word name and is probably most associated
in today’s culture by three other things – a) Michael Jackson’s chimp, b) one
of the Powerpuff Girls and c) one of the fish-tank fish in Finding Nemo. Has possibility
as a nickname.

Trixie (from the 1928 lost film, The Fleet’s In) – in this lost film
Clara played Trixie Deane. A diminutive of Beatrix, Trixie contains the meaning
of ‘she who brings happiness’. Fitting it with celebrity baby name
Dixie, in 2011 the name was given to 7 baby girls as a given name.

Pepper (from the 1930 film, Love Among the Millionaires) – in one of
her ‘talkie’ films, Clara played Pepper Whipple. Recently given to a celeb-tot
and the girlfriend of Iron Man, Pepper is a name in the spotlight. With the
meaning of ‘berry’, Pepper is a name for those who like Saffron and
Sage. In 2011 it was given to 116 baby girls, much I think from the influence
of Iron Man and I think it could grow thanks to the Avengers, but we will have
to find out in May if that is correct.

Nasa (from the 1932 film, Call Her Savage) – in her second last
film, in this ‘talkie’ Clara plays Nasa Springer. Today we associate the name
with space travel, Nasa could make an interesting space tribute instead of Nova
or Stella. I can’t currently find a meaning to the name though I have found
that it comes of Japanese origin. If anyone has any more information please bring
forth as I would be fascinated to know.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Firstly, I
must apologise for being away from the blog for so long, it was one of those
times when life just got in the way. In any case, I am back and I thought that
the best thing for me to get back in the swing of blogging was another installment of In Retrospect. This
time we are looking at names given to eight children in 1880.

For boys,
names being used in modern times like Reese, Benedict and Archer appeared on
eight boys in 1880 while for girls, Millicent, Leslie, Margery, Faye, Elena,
Camille and Bernadette were given to eight girls. Boys names on girls were here
in this section as well with Thomas, Walter and Ray given to eight girls in
1880.

Here is my
selection of names Given to Eight Children in 1880:

GIRLS:

Arizona – (pronounced: ah-reh-ZONE-uh) is a place name derived
from Papago Indian origin and means ‘little
springs’. It peaked on the charts two years later before the state was
named as such. In 2011, it was given to 53 baby girls which may be in part
thanks to the state itself but also due to the popular American model, Arizona
Muse.

Inga – (pronounced: ING-gah) is a name of Scandinavian and Old Norse origin and is
the feminine form of Inge. With the
meaning, ‘guarded by Ing’, it is a sister to the more popular name Ingrid which was given to 305 baby
girls, Inga has not charted since 1914 and in 2011, was given to 21 girls.

Kattie – (pronounced: CAT-ee) is on Greek origin and is another short form of the classic girls name
Katherine, and it has the meaning of ‘pure’. It has the vintage feel to
the name while also being a nickname that works as a name that is becoming
popular. Be aware of the possible ‘catty’ associations with your child if you
name it as such. It last charted in 1940 and in 2011, it was given to 25 baby
girls.

Lavinia Swire in Downton Abbey

Lavenia – (pronounced: LAH-vin-ee-ah) is a variant of the name
Lavinia which is of Etruscan origin
and is taken from Roman Mythology with a meaning unknown. The Lavinia is legend
was the daughter of a King and the ancestor of the Roman People. It was a
popular name during the Victorian era. In 2011, less than 5 or none at all were
given the variant as a name while 39 were given the original spelling. I can
see it rising, maybe not dramatically, due to the character of Lavinia on
Downton Abbey. The original spelling was also the middle name of Ava Gardner,
whose name is now ranked #5 in the USA. For a more subtle tribute to the
actress, this might be an option.

Magnolia – (pronounced: mag-NO-lee-ah) is a name of English origin that is a flower name.
The Magnolia was named after the French botanist Pierre Magnol and already has
two nice nicknames, Maggie or Nola, and the character, Magnolia, in the musical
Show Boat also goes by the names Noa
and Nollie. It has a Southern Belle feel to it and was last ranking in 1940
where it placed #815 before never charting again. In 2011, it was given to 185
baby girls and the amount has been steadily rising in the last few years and I
can see it making the Top 1000 in the next few years. So if you are looking for
a flower name that is unique enough without being completely uncommon, this is
a possible choice.

Media – (pronounced: ME-dia) is a variant of the name Medea and is of Greek Origin and has the meaning of ‘ruling’. This would
make an interesting name, though I think the original spelling would be better
if you fear the first being pronounced wrong. Surprisingly, both versions of
this name, despite a rise in popularity of Greek names, was given to less than
five or no babies at all in 2011.

Orilla – (pronounced: OR-il-lah) is a variant of the name Orela and is of Latin Origin with the
meaning of ‘announcement from the Gods’. It has a similar feel to Arella (given to 18 girls in 2011), Ariella (449 girls in 2011), Oriel (5 girls in 2011) and Ariel (1426 girls in 2011) but despite
that, the name was given to less than 5 or no babies at all in 2011. It seems
to be a name lost back in the 1880s but could make a revival along with other
names that have a vintage past.

Rowena – (pronounced: ro-EE-na) is a name of Welsh origin and means ‘famous friend’.
The name has not charted since 1963 but it does have literary cred thanks to
Rowena Ravenclaw in the Harry Potter series and the heroine in the tale
Ivanhoe. Its old fashioned charm could win people over. In 2011, only 15 girls
were given the name which surprised me due to it being a name in Harry Potter.
Despite it being in rare use, you can guarantee that at least people will have
heard of it at the same time.

Tabitha – (pronounced: TAB-i-tha) is a name of Aramaic origin that means ‘gazelle’.
It is currently in the Top 1000 but reached its peak in 1978 at spot #126. The
name is currently on its way out, now ranked at #676, a few spots lower than
what it was in 1880 (though in 2011, 413 baby girls were given the name). It
does have celeb-baby power behind it with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew
Broderick choosing it for one of their adorable twin girls and it also has
‘Tabby’ as a quick go to nickname. Also, it was the name of the daughter in
TV’s Bewitched.

Zona – (pronounced: ZOH-na) is a name of Latin origin that means ‘belt, girdle’.
It last ranked in 1941 before disappearing from the Top 1000 and in 2011, only
7 girls were given the name. For all the star gazers out there, Zona would fit
in with Stella and Luna as it is the name of the stars
that make up the belt in the constellation of Orion, and for all the literary
lovers, the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize in drama was novelist and poet,
Zona Gale.

BOYS:

Silent Film Star, Buster Keaton

Buster – (pronounced: BUS-ter) is a name of English origin that denotes a person who
‘breaks things’. Maybe not a thing that you would encourage a child to
do, but Buster could have its charms with people who like nicknames. Definitely
the most famous bearer of the name was the incredible silent film-star and
director, Buster Keaton, though Buster was not his birth name. Actor Jonny Lee
Miller, who currently plays Sherlock Holmes in Elementary, gave his son the name Buster a few years back. The name
has not charted since 1957 but peaked back in 1909, before Buster Keaton was
even making films. In 2011, 14 boys were given the name Buster, though I would
presume that more pets, especially dogs, were given the name than baby boys.

Crawford – (pronounced: KRAW-ferd) is a name of English origin that is common a surname
that was derived from a place name meaning a ‘ford where crows gather’, the name has not charted in the US
since 1951. In 2011, the name was given to 33 baby boys but I would say that
you would most likely hear this name as a surname, not a given name, but since
surname-names are making it, this name I am sure has a chance to be used.

Ephraim –
(pronounced: EE-free-im) is a name of
Hebrew origin that means ‘fruitful,
fertile, productive’. Also a Biblical name, Ephraim was the second son of
Joseph and founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name has literary
cred thanks to appearing in Dickens’s Little
Dorrit, in Goldsmith’s The Vicar of
Wakefield and dare I say it, even in the Twilight series. It is also the name of one of the seven brothers
in one of the most beloved musicals of all time, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The name last ranked however in
1914 and in 2011 it was given to 169 boys, and after looking a few years before
this, it seems that the name is being less used ever year. However, it
continues to lurk just under the Top 1000 (last year’s #1000 was Ethen which
was given to 192 boys), with Biblical names in more popularity, the name might
just need a celebrity endorsement to crack the Top 1000 once more (and wouldn’t
it be interesting if it cracked it in 2014?)

Harlan –
(pronounced: HAHR-len) is a name of English origin that comes from a surname
that means ‘hare land’ in Old English. The brother name to Harlean, it last ranked in 1982. It
does also lend itself to the name Harlem.
In 2011, it was given to 159 boys as well as 15 baby girls.

Hayes –
(pronounced: HAZE) is a English
surname-name of Old English origin
that means ‘hedged area’. It came back to the Top 1000 in 2009 and currently
sits at number #776 with 286 boys given the name. Also, 16 girls were given the
name in 2011. The name has Presidential pedigree and celeb-baby rights as Kevin
Costner gave to the name to his son.

Jonah –
(pronounced: JO-na) is a name of Hebrew origin that means ‘dove’.
For Australians, I think the name is remembered in connection with a character
off Summer Heights High that is
anything but peaceful. Jonah Hill is currently an actor who has probably helped
the name rise in popularity, it currently ranks at #144. The name has Biblical
credit as well and would be a less popular choice than Jacob.

Marquis –
(pronounced: mahr-KEE) is a name of Old French origin that means ‘nobleman,
lord of the borderlands’. A name currently ranked #697 in the USA, Marquis
is a name in the vein of Prince, Earl and Duke as names that are given to
stations in nobility, lower than a Duke but higher than and Earl or Baron, it
is a slightly more subtle choice in making your child feel like nobility. In
2011, 331 baby boys were given the name.

Orange –
(pronounced: Oh-rinj) is a name of English origin that means what it says,
‘orange’, whether you take that to be the citrus fruit or the colour
orange. It last ranked in 1901 for boys, and never ranked for girls, but with
children being named after numerous other fruits, the name could be possible,
but preferably as a middle name or match it with a more common name. In 2011,
less than 5, or none at all, baby boys or girls were given the name Orange.

Rutherford –
(pronounced: RUH-ther-ford) is a name
of Old English origin meaning ‘catlle-crossing’
but is probably best remembered as the name of the 19th President of
the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes. A name that would fit well with
Wellington, the name has not ranked since 1905. In 2011, the name was given to
less than 5, if none at all, baby boys.

Shelby –
(pronounced: SHEL-bee) is a name of Latin origin that means ‘estate on
the ledge’. It last ranked in 1999 for boys and has instead found its way
within the Top 1000 for girls, currently placed at #218 though the name is not
slowly moving down the list. Always more popular for girls, ranking as high as
#33, compared to the boys peak at #386, Shelby would make a unique choice for a
son today. In 2011, 42 baby boys were given the name Shelby.